ஆச்சார யோகங்கள் - பிருஹத் பராசர ஹோர சாஸ்திரம்

1. The Sage said. O Brahmin! Now I will describe to you the Yogas, leading to ascetism, under the influence of which the persons give up their homes and become initiated in some holy order.

2-3. The Yog for ascetism is formed, when four, or more Grahas, possessed of strength, occupy a single Bhava. The person born will become a Tapasvi, a Kapali, he will be wearing a red robe, be one, who keeps a Danda (staff), Yati, he will be keeper of a Chakr, or he will be a naked Sanyasin, according to the Grah, which is the strongest of the group: Surya, Candr, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Sukr, or Sani. If a number of Grahas are endowed with strength, the holy order of the one, strongest amongst them, is accepted.

Notes. There is a similar verse in Varahamihir’s Brihat Jatak, which, translated into English reads, as under. “If at birth, four, or more Grahas, possessed of strength, occupy a single Bhava, the person born will become a Sakya, Jeevika, Bhikshu, a Vriddha, or Guru, a Charak, a Nirgrantha, or Visava, a Vanyasana, or Vanaprastha, according to which of the Grahas is the strongest Grah of the group: Mangal, Budh, Guru, Candr, Sukr, Sani, or Surya. If the strongest Grah be conquered in planetary war by another Grah, or Grahas at the time of birth, the person will relinquish that stage of ascetic life and review to his previous condition of life.” A Vanaprastha is a religious man, engaged in the practice of rigorous and devout penance (i.e. he will be a Tapasvi); a Vivas is a naked ascetic (that is dwelling in hills and forests). A Bhikshu is an illustrious ascetic with a single staff for his symbol, engaged ever and anon in the contemplation of truths of the sacred scriptures. A Charak is a religious mendicant, wandering over many countries. A Shakya is an ascetic of the Buddhist clan. A Guru is a celebrated teacher, endowed with royal splendour. A Jeevika is a garrulous and gluttonous mendicant.